Player Analysis: Manuel Locatelli

When Manuel Locatelli was promoted from the youth team at AC Milan, the midfielder seemed to be a player with maturity beyond his years. He had a spell during the 2016/17 Serie A season in which he had scored crucial goals in victories against Sassuolo and Juventus but he was able to consistently replicate those heroics. After a move to the Neroverdi in the summer of 2018, Locatelli has blossomed as a footballer. Thriving under the tutelage of Roberto De Zerbi, the 23-year-old is one of the best deep-lying playmakers in Italian football and he has also established himself as an international player for Italy.

Born in Lecco, situated about 50 kilometers from Milan, Locatelli rose through the youth ranks at AC Milan and he was given his senior debut in the 2015/16 Serie A season by interim coach Cristian Brocchi. After featuring twice in the league in that campaign, he played 25 times in the league under new coach Vincenzo Montella in 2016/17. His two outstanding performances were in the matches in which he scored. The Rossoneri were 3-1 down against Sassuolo, the midfielder came on as a substitute for Riccardo Montolivo, and he scored the equalizer with a stunning left-foot volley before they went on to win 4-3. 

Two games later, AC Milan hosted Juventus, and the Diavolo struggled to break down the Bianconeri defense, but in the 65th minute, Locatelli scored the only goal of the match. Suso had the ball at the right corner and passed the ball backwards to the young midfielder. Locatelli controlled the ball with his first touch and then beat Gianluigi Buffon in the Juve goal with a thunderous angled drive.

Scoring against such high-quality opponents perhaps overwhelmed the AC Milan midfielder and he did not reach the same heights. Aside from his confidence, one of the flaws in his game was that he would pass sideways and backwards too often, and not make enough vertical balls. Locatelli only featured 21 times during the 2017/18 Serie A campaign and then he was sent on loan to Sassuolo for the following season.